Take a look at the photos from our trip to Tothill's Mazes yesterday.

Good evening everyone.

Today the children had a wonderful day out at Tothill's Mazes.  Two lovely mothers - Kate Flutey and Raneigh Smith accompanied the classes.  Children from rooms 3 and 4 left school at 9.15am and ate morning tea upon arrival at the venue.  After morning tea the children were given a challenge to find 36 cards within the maze.  They worked with a partner or in groups of 3.  This challenge took the children between 1 - 1.5 hours to complete.  When the children finished they were given  "prizes" for their successes and efforts.  We ate lunch on picnic rugs under the trees.  Once we finished, the children chose from a number of games and puzzles to play with/work on.  This was delightful to watch children play, laugh, run, dance and jump.  Photos will be posted tomorrow.

We have been learning about different cultures.  As part of this study we have been working with a partner to research the flag, language, climate, size, population, currency, food and traditional clothing of a country.  We then contrasted these with the flag, language etc of New Zealand.  We found that as well as their being differences there are also many similarities.  Here we are working together on our projects.

Marae Visit

Today was the day of our visit to the marae.  There was great excitement (and practising of the waiata and kapa haka performance) prior leaving.  When we arrived at the marae we were welcomed onto the grounds with a powhiri.  We had a number of adult attendees with us to support us and respond to the powhiri.  All children remained quiet and showed great respect during this ceremony.  Inside the wharenui itself a kaumata (elder associated with the marae) welcomed us to which Anaru Gray responded.  This visit was a great experience from which all children took away something very important and moving to remember.  Enjoy a few photos taken during the afternoon.

Now that swimming and preparing for the school sports are over we have started work on the ukeleles and the cultural study.  The children continue to work on number in maths and AVAIL in reading.  Here we are working this morning on "hard" numbers in small groups.